ay, and
allowing the boys to drop to the ground, he unslings Neal's gun, stands
at the very edge of the cover where he fires two shots just in time to
save the remainder of the party.

"We must not stop here," he says as Cummings comes to a halt by his
side. "Help the boys, and leave me here long enough to hold them in
check until you have put considerable distance between the crowd and
yourselves."

Cummings waited only until he had given the Indian his own rifle and
some cartridges, for it was a more effective weapon than Neal's, and
then he and Jake did as directed.

Traveling in as nearly a straight line as possible they marched rapidly,
while behind them could be heard shot after shot, telling that Poyor was
doing his duty.

"If he can keep that up long enough we shall give them the slip after
all," Jake said, speaking with difficulty as he gasped for breath.

"There are others to be met. Between here and the coast is a line of
sentinels who may be more vigilant than those in the swamp."

Now that the pace was slower, and because of the assistance rendered,
Neal and Teddy were able to make their way unaided, and the former said
as he pushed Cummings from him:

"I am all right now. You have as much as you can do to take care of
yourself, and it is not fair to half carry me as you and Poyor have been
doing."

"It hasn't been such a very hard job; but I'm perfectly willing to give
it up if you are feeling better."

"We are both in fair condition," Teddy replied, and being relieved of
the burdens the men were able to travel more rapidly.

During the next ten minutes not a word was spoken, and then Cummings
said as he halted:

"We'll take a little rest, for I am nearly blown."

All threw themselves on the ground where they lay panting until,
recovering somewhat, Jake asked:

"How is Poyor to find us in this thicket? He can't follow a trail in the
darkness."

"He will succeed in doing so as---- Say, are you wounded?"

"One of those fellows cut my cheek open with a rock; but beyond the pain
I don't reckon there's been any great damage done."

"You are fortunate that it was not inflicted by an arrow or spear. Let
me try to bandage it, for the loss of blood will tell upon you if we
continue this gait very long."

With strips torn from Jake's shirt the wound was bound up in an awkward
fashion, and Cummings said as he finished the work:

"When Poyor comes he will gather a certain leaf which has healing